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No, nothing is official. Free agent left tackle Jared Veldheer is not officially signed, instead headed here for an visit that will allow the Cardinals medical staff to check him out and for General Manager Steve Keim, team president Michael Bidwill and coach Bruce Arians — among others — to talk to the guy face to face. But multiple reports not only have Veldheer agreeing to a contract with the Cardinals but also details of a five-year deal. The main numbers are $17 million guaranteed and a $6.5 million bonus, and if true (and assuming Veldheer is the solid left tackle everyone expects) Keim once again weaved his magic for a reasonable deal that would be cheaper than the other top tackles on the market. All for a 6-foot-8, 320-pound behemoth who turns 27 in June.

I don’t think there is any question quarterback Carson Palmer — who played with and was protected by Veldheer in Oakland — endorsed his former teammate. Bruce Arians has said the Cards get input on players from players once in a while. And there is no question Veldheer was an intriguing possibility because of his age and price tag. If all goes right in the visit (and there is no reason it shouldn’t) Veldheer should be holding a press conference sometime Wednesday. Certainly Veldheer is confident. Not only did he tweet a goodbye to Raider fans, but he also changed his Twitter description and avatar:

— In case you missed it, wide receiver Andre Roberts is headed to Washington on a four-year deal that reportedly has $8 million guaranteed. The wide receiver market hasn’t exactly opened with a bang like the tackle or defensive back positions have, so Roberts looks like he came out way ahead. Good for him. He’ll get a better opportunity to catch passes in Washington than he would have here behind Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd.

What a beast. This guy is a rock who has a punch that will floor defenders faster than George Foreman knocked out Joe Frazier. Veldheer is going to add 10 points a game to our total score. Now lets get Palmer one more deep threat a wide receiver to pair with Fitz and Floyd. Either draft one, or bring in Emmanuel Sanders who knows B.a.’s offense.

to put this in perspective though, the left side of the o-line Veldheer and J.Cooper played a combined 5 games last year. Add in Left guard earl Waterford and that’s 5 games between 3 potential starters. They better be on top of there playbooks.

I understand Dansby went for the money but I don’t understand why all these rich players do not balance the money against happiness on the job. I see Cleveland as being a toxic work environment. Dansby should have enough money to enjoy the rest of his life either in Arizona or Cleveland. I guess it’s ego that is the dominant factor.

Since the Raiders apparently picked up former Ram tackle Roger Saffold, they knew this was coming too. Solid move for the Cards. If they do nothing else in the FA period it was still a successful one because of this.

Darren, I assume there’s always a chance, but is there likelihood that Colledge comes back for less?

Now, THERE YA GO!!!! Well done, Mr’s Kein and Bidwill. Way to be aggressive and get it done. After what seemed like SOOOO many years of that bargain basement / picking through the scraps approach to FA that came to define the Cardinals over the last three years of the previous regime, this feels so damn good and is such a welcome change of pace.

Sorry that Roberts and Dansby are departing but this team needed to build the O-line above all else. And a big piece was added today. This addition plus the return of Cooper would seem to give us the best O-line going into camp we’ve had in a long time. And that is how winning teams are built – NOT by signing Alan Faneca.

Dansby won’t be as good as he was in our scheme. he will learn that the hard way. but I’m happy for Andre Roberts cause it was no way in hell we was gone give him money like that lol BIRD GANG LIVES ON.

Darren: Great signing by Keim to get Veldheer but I am disappointed in Dansbys departure. Do you see middle LB becoming more of a priority for Keim in the draft because of Minters inexperience or do you think they go all in with Minter at this point?

Darren, we got a solid Tackle with huge upside that will be able to protect Palmer. Now that blindside protection is settled, I always hear BA talk about getting speed at the WR position. Do you think the Cards will make a run at Ted Ginn? He would bring us some explosiveness offensively but can also return kicks.

No one is mentioning the need for a premier slot receiver. In my opionion the outside is well taken care of by Fitzgerald and Floyd. We’ve tried several mr. speedos without much luck. I’d rather have an Anquon Boldin type of slot receiver. What think?

Emmanuel Sanders should be the speed guy, and with no action on the receivers and so much depth in this draft, Sanders could come at a bargain price. If not, then we get some speed receiver from the draft. One way or the other, one more dynamic deep threat and B.A. will be in play calling heaven.

I officially have a man crush with Steve Keim. This guy is really really good, Veldheer Cap number for 2014 is only 2.5 mil, get outta of here.

Keim , said that the defense were one or two players away from elite statues and I agree. With Valdheer’s 2.5 mil. minus the available cap the Cards began with, they are in great shape to find and add the one or two other defensive players.

The question is what are the position Keim had in mind. Safety has to be the number one, for sure. John Abraham had 11.5 sack last year and was finger tips from having at least 15 sacks. So, would pass rusher necessarily be on Keim’s defensive elite statues short list.

I have been thinking about the Cards first round draft pick lately. And I believe there are four players that the Cards have to take if they fell to the 20th selection.

Anthony Barr, I have to say that I’m not to high on drafting a guy in the first round who isn’t going to be a day one starter but Barr can will beat out Sam Acho, parring with Abraham could get Keims his elite defense.

Justin Gilbert, With PP on teams number one WR Gilbert can beat out Powers and with Tyrann Mathieu returning this defensive back group could be the best in league allowing Todd Bowles to Bitz like a madman.

Taylor Lewan, despite adding a LT in free agency you still wouldn’t be able to pass on this guy at 20. I believe Bobby Massie can hold down the RT position but with Lewan you may have one of the toughest lines in the NFL for a very long time.

Eric Ebron, I know BA will never admit to this out loud but I think he will go nuts if Ebron fell in his lap. I could only imagine what BA could do offensively with a TE like Ebron, remember he lined Ellington in the slot and had PP throwing passes. Ebron could return the receiving offense back to where they were when Kurt Warner was under center. Teams couldn’t double or triple team Larry. Really who would teams concentrate on when Fitz,Floyd, Ebron, Andre Ellington out the back field and a sub 4.40 40 speed wr on the field.

LG- I’m not giving you BS but let’s be honest woodley doesn’t have it anymore. We’ve seen Abraham be productive and we still have younger players like Acho and Okafor personally if were gonna get an OLB it needs to be in the draft and not some old washed up FA

Has d ware been released….pay him to beef line hehe now that would be nasty dockett Campbell aberaham and ware Williams and ta amu up the middle…crossing fingers cowboys let ware go and he falls in our lap….like the two tight ends brought in..Ballard did good last year…excited 2014

Everyone keeps on about a speed receiver, but can we be honest isn’t it more likely someone like Santonio Holmes who was a BA guy in pittsburgh would be a more realistic fit for our slot receiver? Also now that the Cards have settled tackle couldn’t we end up just sitting back and watching the carnage for a few days while guys continue to get unrealistic deals? I mean Dansby, Abraham and Winston were all late signings…

palmer played with veldheer,so he’s not an unknown,he trusted his blindside in him,what more can you ask for than to already have that combination tested.no where near the same situation as kolb.

besides o-tackles,i see a run on DBs,wow did the saints come marching in or what.could mean the price for 21 just went up.so far been a big difference from kast year,big time money being spent by denver.if we take the money we were offering dansby and scraped what we have left for just one more signing and offered it to ware in a carefully structured deal,who knows,he might like the thought of playing with our defense.

Hey Darren – Can Keim be assured that Veldheer’s previous injury is medically cleared and put behind him? Seems this is the same type injury to the triceps muscles that Levi had, and he went on IR after he apparently re-injured himself in Pittsburgh… don’t think he has played since. You mentioned a few weeks back that is why we lost that draft pick.

I am thrilled at this potential signing of Veldheer, but I would also want to have 100% assurance that he is FIXED from this injury. These are the muscles that do ALL the pushing which is what playing OT is all about. I hope the MD’s are thorough. This seems a challenging injury to repair and rehab. Will you report the findings of the Med crew after they look at him? Thx…

I would assume that would be taken care of during his physical this morning. The Cards are making this kind of deal without confidence. Also, Veldheer came back to play the last five games of the season. It’s not like he’s coming off the injury. He was already healthy enough to play.

It would appear that the Broncos learned something from their loss from Seattle and are preparing to face off with the Hawks for the next 3-5 years as both sides load up on the best talent building Championship dynasties. The Cards meanwhile aren’t doing anything too exciting and a contract for 5-7 on a player unproven in our system seems risky, given the ultra conservative nature of the Cards front office. Very disappointed to see Matt Shaunessy going. Of course with some teams the talent won’t matter since the organization is dysfunctional and their coaches aren’t that great but it is nevertheless disheartening to sit by and watch our NFC West rivals continue to build on their strengths without seeing any competition from the guys charged with keeping us in the running. Totally bummed that we were not able to pick up one of the top 3 safeties that would have fortified our defense. Don’t agree with Keim that our defense is “elite” considering the fact that we lost some important pieces. Hopefully, today will be a better day!

What concerns me is his lack of production since getting his big contract.
2012 – 4 sacks , 2013 – 5 sacks

Not to mention, his injuries.

I think if I am Keim, I sit with the guys I have; Abraham, Acho, Okefer and look at the draft.
If a edge guy like Anthony Barr or Kony Ealy are there, grab them.

For Ealy, I was told to watch Michael Sam as a pass rusher (before the announcement) and all I kept seeing is Ealy in the game. In that “Flex” position the cards run where the OLB sometimes becomes a DE (What Shaughnessy did) , this guy would excel.

I don’t know if either will be there at 20, and of course Khalil Mack wont be there. But if any of the 3 start falling around 16-18, it might be wise to jump up and get them.

Darren do u think they are interested in Chris Clemons miami Safety?
He is rated as one of the best safety fee agent and a good coverage player.is 6’1 217 lb,so has the measures keim was looking for in order to cover tigh ends

Darren – We can all be thankful for Veldheer’s healed ((no concern)) condition as you report. I would have thought an MRI would have been called; perhaps it was. Levi played a number of games before his Triceps re-injured. I am a little over the top on this concern probably, but it has been a very long time since the LT position has had a permanent starter who can get it done. I thought Sowell was very serviceable there. He will continue to be a good player for us.

Now, let’s not draft a left-handed QB again to skew things! There will be high expectations for Veldheer, and it appears he will be the best LT the Cards start for a long time… This fixes a bunch of things, perhaps single-digit INT’s now for the full season of 2014…Palmer’s best is 12… I might take that…no more.

i agree,a safety in the draft,we do need a speed reciever,one that can return kicks also,two players who showed their speed in their pro days were barr (he probably assured himself a top 15 if not top ten spot) and the speedy lb from ohio st.,who may be in our range.

Every year there are a few players who are predicted to go early in the draft but fall to the latter or even out of the first round.

Star Lotulelei was one of those guys last year and If I remember correctly Geno Smith fell to the second round. Plus, Geno wasn’t even the first QB off the board as expected, I believe that honor went to EJ Manuel who was predicted to go in the second or third round.

It is these types of volatile changes that make the draft exciting for us fans. If it was scripted as you are suggesting who would care about the NFL draft.